19-2-4094 US purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 19-3-4095; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
VERTICAL METAL FILE CABINETS FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 28, 2019
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations concerning vertical metal file cabinets from
China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-623 and 731-TA-1449 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested
under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result
in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. §
1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Pamela Davis (202-205-2218,
Pamela.davis@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased or imported for own use or retail sale VMFCs (as defined on next page) from any source
(domestic or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2016?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)

Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking on the
following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: FILE)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Signature

Phone

Email address

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on April 30, 2019, by Hirsh
Industries LLC, Des Moines, Iowa. Countervailing and antidumping duties may be assessed on the
subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative determination
of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) makes
an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/vertical_metal_file_cabinets_china/preliminary.htm
Vertical metal file cabinets “VMFCs” covered by these investigations are freestanding vertical metal file
cabinets containing two or more extendable file storage elements and having an actual width of 25
inches or less.
The subject vertical metal file cabinets have bodies made of carbon and/or alloy steel and or other
metals, regardless of whether painted, powder coated, or galvanized or otherwise coated for corrosion
protection or aesthetic appearance. The subject vertical metal file cabinets must have two or more
extendable elements for file storage (e.g., file drawers) of a height that permits hanging files of either
letter (8.5” x 11”) or legal (8.5” x 14”) sized documents.
An “extendable element” is defined as a movable load-bearing storage component including, but not
limited to, drawers and filing frames. Extendable elements typically have suspension systems, consisting
of glide blocks or ball bearing glides, to facilitate opening and closing.
The subject vertical metal file cabinets typically come in models with two, three, four, or five-file
drawers. The inclusion of one or more additional non-file-sized extendable storage elements, not sized
for storage files (e.g., box or pencil drawers), does not remove an otherwise in-scope product from the
scope as long as the combined height of the non-file-sized extendable storage elements does not exceed
six inches. The inclusion of an integrated storage area that is not extendable (e.g., a cubby) and has an
actual height of six inches or less, also does not remove a subject vertical metal file cabinet from the
scope. Accessories packaged with a subject vertical file cabinet, such as separate printer stands or shelf
kits that sit on top of the in-scope vertical file cabinet are not considered integrated storage.
“Freestanding” means the unit has a solid top and does not have an open top or a top with holes
punched in it that would permit the unit to be attached to, hung from, or otherwise used to support a
desktop or other work surface. The ability to anchor a vertical file cabinet to a wall for stability or to
prevent it from tipping over does not exclude the unit from the scope.
The addition of mobility elements such as casters, wheels, or a dolly does not remove the product from
the scope. Packaging a subject vertical metal file cabinet with other accessories, including, but not
limited to, locks, leveling glides, caster kits, drawer accessories (e.g., including but not limited to
follower wires, follower blocks, file compressors, hanger rails, pencil trays, and hanging file folders),
printer stand, shelf kit and magnetic hooks, also does not remove the product from the scope. Vertical
metal file cabinets are also in scope whether they are imported assembled or unassembled with all
essential parts and components included.
Excluded from the scope are lateral metal file cabinets. Lateral metal file cabinets have a width that is
greater than the body depth, and have a body with an actual width that is more than 25 inches wide.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 3

Also excluded from the scope are pedestal file cabinets. Pedestal file cabinets are metal file cabinets
with body depths that are greater than or equal to their width, are under 31 inches in actual height, and
have the following characteristics: (1) an open top or other the means for the cabinet to be attached to
or hung from a desktop or other work surface such as holes punched in the top (i.e., not freestanding);
or (2) freestanding file cabinets that have all of the following: (a) at least a 90 percent drawer extension
for all extendable file storage elements; (b) a central locking system; (c) a minimum weight density of 9.5
lbs./cubic foot; and (d) casters or leveling glides.
“Percentage drawer extension” is defined as the drawer travel distance divided by the inside depth
dimension of the drawer. Inside depth of drawer is measured from the inside of the drawer face to the
inside face of the drawer back. Drawer extension is the distance the drawer travels from the closed
position to the maximum travel position which is limited by the out stops. In situations where drawers
do not include an outstop, the drawer is extended until the drawer back is 3-l/2 inches from the closed
position of inside face of the drawer front. The “weight density” is calculated by dividing the cabinet’s
actual weight by its volume in cubic feet (the multiple of the product’s actual width, depth, and height).
A “central locking system” locks all drawers in a unit.
Also excluded from the scope are fire proof or fire-resistant file cabinets that meet Underwriters
Laboratories (UL) fire protection standard 72, class 350, which covers the test procedures applicable to
fire-resistant equipment intended to protect paper records.
The merchandise subject to the investigation is classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTSUS) subheading 9403.10.0020. The subject merchandise may also enter under HTSUS
subheadings 9403.10.0040, 9403.20.0080, and 9403.20.0090. While HTSUS subheadings are provided
for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of the investigation is
dispositive.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
VMFCs from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes VMFCs.
Reporting of information.--If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a manner
that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of numerical
business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential business
information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.--The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 4

Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
I-1.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single response.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of VMFCs, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.

I-2.

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)
I-3.

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, which import VMFCs into the United States or which export VMFCs to the United
States?
No
Firm name

I-4.

Page 5

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce VMFCs?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 6

PART II.--PURCHASES
Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
II-1.

Purchases and imports.--Report separately your firm’s domestic purchases and imports of
VMFCs.
“Purchase” – Purchase from a U.S. entity such as a U.S. producer, a U.S. importer, or other U.S.
firm.
“Import” – Purchase directly from a foreign supplier and your firm is the importer of record.
2016

2017

Item

January-June
2019

2018

Quantity (in units)

Purchases of VMFCs
produced in—
United States
China
Mexico
All other countries1
Sources unknown2
Total purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Imports of VMFCs
from—
China
Mexico
All other countries1
Total imports3
1

Please identify these countries:
Please indicate the firm(s) from which you purchased this merchandise:
3
If your firm imported VMFCs at any time since January 1, 2016, please also complete and
return a U.S. importers' questionnaire in this proceeding. It can be downloaded at:
2

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)
II-2.

Page 7

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
VMFCs from different sources have changed since January 1, 2016.

Source of purchases

Did not
purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States
China
Mexico
All other countries
Sources unknown
II-3.

Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase VMFCs.

1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:
II-4.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin with which your firm has
experience or information in the VMFCs market.
United
States

China

Mexico

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)
II-5.

Page 8

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for VMFCs since January 1,
2016. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of VMFCs that each
of these suppliers accounted for in 2018.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2018 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 9

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of VMFCs (check all
that apply)?
End user

Retailer

Distributor

Other

Describe other

If your firm is a retailer or distributor of VMFCs, please answer questions III-2 and III-4.
III-2.

Competition for sales.--Does your firm compete for sales to customers with the manufacturers
or importers from which your firm purchases VMFCs?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells VMFCs?

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)
III-4.

Page 10

Substitutes.—
(a)

Specific substitutes.--Are these specific products considered as substitutes for VMFCs in
the same end use(s)?

Specific
substitutes

Are these
considered
substitutes in the
End use(s) in which
market?
this substitute is
No
Yes
used

Have changes in the price of this
substitute affected the price of
VMFCs?
No

Yes

Explanation

Lateral metal
file cabinets
Pedestal metal
file cabinets
Filing cabinets
not made of
metal
Desks or other
office furniture
with storage
capacity
Electronic
document
storage
(b)

Other substitutes.--Can other products not already listed in part "a" of this question be
substituted for VMFCs?
No

Other substitutes
1.
2.
3.
4.

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for VMFCs?
No Yes

Explanation

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)
III-5.

Page 11

Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for VMFCs has changed since January 1, 2016. Explain any trends and describe
the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand for your firm and the overall
VMFCs market (e.g., general economic growth, office vacancy rates, etc.).

Overall
increase

Market

Fluctuate
No
Overall
with no
change decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United States
Outside the United States
III-6.

Digital file storage.--Has the use of digital file storage affected overall demand for VMFCs since
January 1, 2016?
No

III-7.

Yes

Please describe.

Internet sales.--Have internet sales affected price, competition, or other factors since January 1,
2016?
Factor
Price
Competition
Other

No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)
III-8.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order VMFCs from one
country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

III-9.

Page 12

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2018 purchases of VMFCs that required VMFCs produced in the
United States.

Item

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2018
purchases of VMFCs

Purchases that did not require domestic product

%

Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be domestic product
(e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)

%

Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product

%

Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons
(explain:
)

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 13

III-10. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the VMFCs market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to VMFCs?

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-11.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b)

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
VMFCs since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-11. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving VMFCs based on its producer or
country of origin?
Item

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 14

III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of VMFCs in the U.S. market changed since January 1,
2016?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Imports from China
Imports from other
countries
III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
VMFCs since January 1, 2016 (examples include placing customers on allocation or “controlled
order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers, delivering less
than the quantity promised, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-14. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes/features of VMFCs only
available from certain country sources?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 15

III-15. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of VMFCs (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-16. Raw material prices.—
(a)

Is your firm familiar with the prices for raw materials used in the production of VMFCs?
No

(b)

Yes – please answer (b)

Has information on raw material prices affected your firm’s negotiations or contracts to
purchase VMFCs since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes Explain

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 16

III-17. Impact of the section 301 investigation.-- This question concerns the section 301

investigation and subsequent announcement of additional tariffs that include VMFCs
proposed and implemented by the United States in response to Chinese trade practices.
(a)

Has the implementation of tariff remedies in the section 301 investigation impact, or do
you anticipate that it will impact, your firm's VMFCs business and/or the U.S. VMFCs
market as a whole?
Yes—Please answer b and c.

(b)

No

Don’t know

Please indicate the impact of implementation of remedies in the section 301
investigation and tariff actions regarding VMFCs on each of the following factors.

Impact on

Overall
Increase

No change

Overall
Decrease

Fluctuate with
no clear trend

Demand for VMFCs in the
U.S. market
Supply of VMFCs imported
from China in the U.S.
market
Supply of VMFCs imported
from sources other than
China in the U.S. market
Prices for VMFCs in the
U.S. market
Raw materials costs for
VMFCs in the U.S. market
(c)

Describe the impact of the 301 tariffs on your firm and the overall market for VMFCs.
Please identify the magnitude and timing of the reported effects, and compare your
firm’s operations/overall market before and after the implementation of tariffs.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 17

III-18. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-19. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of VMFCs usually involve negotiations between
supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

If yes, explain the factors your firm generally negotiates and note whether
your firm quotes competing prices during negotiations.

III-20. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2016?

No

Yes

If yes, please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or dropped,
and the reasons for the change.

III-21. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 18

III-22. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell VMFCs to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
 The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
 A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-23. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2016, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their VMFCs with your firm or have any producers lost their
approved status?

No

Yes

If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.

III-24. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase VMFCs (examples include availability, extension of
credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 19

III-25. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for VMFCs.

Factor

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Availability
Color, finish, and design
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Durability, sturdiness, and longevity
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price
Product consistency
Product depth
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
III-26. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of VMFCs?

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 20

III-27. Product characteristics. –
(a) Please list product characteristics or features (e.g., steel gauge or type of steel, color, finish,
design, safety, etc.) that would cause your firm to purchase two products with similar
dimensions at different prices.

(b) Please list firm-specific product characteristics or features (e.g., steel gauge or type of steel,
color, finish, design, safety, etc.) of the VMFCs that would cause two products with similar
dimensions to be purchased at different prices.

III-28. Minimum quality.--How often does VMFCs from the following countries meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source
United States
China
Mexico
Other:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 21

III-29. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the VMFCs that are
offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-30. Price leaders.--A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the VMFCs market since
January 1, 2016.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 22

III-31. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2016, did your firm import and/or purchase imports of VMFCs from China
instead of purchasing U.S.-produced VMFCs?
Source

Yes
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))

No
(If “No”, skip to next question)

China
(b)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was the imported product priced lower than the
domestic product?
Source

Yes

No

China
(c)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was price a primary reason for importing and/or
purchasing subject imports rather than domestic product?

Source

China

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased and/or
imported instead of domestic
product since January 2016
(in units)

No

If No, please indicate the
reason your firm imported
and/or purchased imports
instead of domestic product

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 23

III-32. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2016, in connection with a sale or offer to sell VMFCs to your firm, did
U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced VMFCs in order to compete
with lower-priced imports of VMFCs from China?
Source

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No”, skip to next
question)

Don’t know

China
(b)

If your firm responded “yes”, please provide an estimate of the reduction in U.S.
producers’ prices, and any additional explanations, such as timing (e.g., months/years),
frequency of price reductions, or other market/competitive factors.

Source
China

Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)
%

Additional explanation, including such information as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 24

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Interchangeability.--Are VMFCs produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Mexico

Other countries

United States
China
Mexico
For any country-pair producing VMFCs which is sometimes or never interchangeable, please
identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)
IV-2.

Page 25

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between VMFCs produced in the
United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases of the
products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair

Country-pair

China

Mexico

Other countries

United States
China
Mexico
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of VMFCs, identify the country-pair and report the advantages
or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how VMFCs produced in
each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV compare with VMFCs
produced in each of the other countries you identified. If you are unfamiliar with the product
from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those country comparisons blank.

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
China compared to
product from
Other countries

Superior

Inferior

Product from
United States
compared to product
from
Other countries

Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to product
from
China

Superior

IV-3.

Page 26

Availability
Color, finish, and design
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Durability, sturdiness, and longevity
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price
Product consistency
Product depth
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 27

PART V.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V-1.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that
for which a narrative response box was not provided, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below.

V-2.

OMB statistics.--Please report the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of
completing this questionnaire.
Hours

Dollars

The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Final)

Page 28

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/vertical_metal_file_cabinets_china/
preliminary.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/

Pin: FILE

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to pamela.davis@usitc.gov; include a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic documents
that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information from
unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop-box system and the Electronic Document Information
System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 cryptographic algorithms to
encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not use these
encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to unauthorized
disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non-encrypted method of electronic transmission, the
Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is assumed by you and not
by the Commission.
If your firm does not purchase this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned
copy to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire your firm submits (see
19 CFR § 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.